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Presti explains decision to trade James Harden

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti talked to the media Sunday about the Saturday night trade that sent James Harden and three other players to the Houston Rockets.

James Harden and Daequan Cook were sent along with Cole Aldrich and Lazar Hayward to the Rockets in exchange for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and draft considerations. Martin, 29, spent the past three seasons in Houston after six with the Sacramento Kings.

Thunder coach Scott Brooks worked with Martin when Brooks was an assistant in Sacramento.

Lamb is a 6-foot 5-inch tall rookie out of the University of Connecticut. He plays shooting guard and was the second-leading scorer on the Huskies' 2011 national championship team.

"I think these guys add to what we have in place," Presti said.

Former Thunder player and current Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie spoke very highly of Lamb, Presti said.

The decision to trade Harden was not easy, Presti said. He said the Thunder have to build their "program for sustainability."

"The challenges of sustaining success are a lot more stringent than those of achieving success," Presti said.

"It doesn't change how we feel about James Harden. We wish him the best," Presti said.

Presti said that while the Thunder and Harden tried to reach common ground, there was ultimately none to be found. At that point, he said, the Thunder had to "play the hand" it was dealt.

He said the trade allowed Oklahoma City to meet some needs and create some flexibility.

Tune in to KOCO Eyewitness News 5 at 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. for more coverage and complete analysis.

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